e.k.o.c. x chromatic cafe

Maryela Perez aka Mare.e.Fresh is a multimedia artist, curator and producer that creates as a means to take up space as a brown woman. Having grown up in a traditional Mexican family in Modesto, CA, Maryela values and holds dearly the beauty of her culture and her people. Whether its through photography, illustrations, music, or in curating spaces, all of Maryela's work is an extension of itself the mission always being to hold safe spaces for POC.

Ruben Escalante is a Filmmaker, Photographer, and Youth Advocate at MACLA’s DMCStudio. Ruben was born in Madera, California, and grew-up in Dos Palos, CA. Once Ruben graduated from High School he moved to San Jose to pursue an education in Cinema. Since graduating Ruben has worked at numerous elementary schools focusing on art therapy. He recently started a collective titled Emo Kids of Color, E.K.O.C for short. E.K.O.C is a collective of artists who specialize in photography, zine making, film, music, and poetry.

Damian Kelly is a Los Angeles native who studied Industrial Design at San Jose State University. Passion for graphic design and photography helped earn creative relationships with environmentally sustainable clients, local entrepreneurs, and inspiring artists. Introduced to art handling at SJICA (San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art) in 2012, fabricating installations underlined a natural intersection of art and design. Joining MACLA (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana) in 2014 advanced Kelly’s influence on the diverse local community of Downtown San Jose as a local facilitator. By January 2018, Kelly became a Visual Arts Engagement Coordinator at MACLA. In April 2018, Kelly was featured in his first Exhibition as an Artist at SJICA and profiled in Content Magazine in September. December 5th, 2018 marked the first opportunity to curate, coordinate, design, and install a complete exhibition at MACLA. While training for a future career with Ship Art International in 2019, Damian has begun designing furniture, making artwork, and transitioning towards living in the East Bay.

Nicholas Jimenez is an artist in several mediums including design, illustrations, technical drawing, music, photography, video, and walls. His work visual work deals with social issues affecting the Silicon Valley and exploring the female narrative of hypersexuality in artwork. Having worked under the direction of Charlie Lapson (2012-2013) at his start-up RedCarpetTips.com located in the heart of LA’s Fashion District, he uses his extensive background in design, to blend the boundaries between commercial art and graphic design.

More recently the DMC Studio at MACLA and San Jose State University have used his work. He is a currently an undergrad at SJSU working towards his Bachelors of Science in Industrial Design.

Tianna Checa, 21. Born and raised in San Jose California. Artist/ Painter. Active in the San Jose art community. Creates visual representations on how she perceives the world. Inspired by horror and the beauty of life and death.

Lailani Africa is a Digital Content Specialist, Singer Songwriter and Arts Advocate. Her work thrives on connecting communities, engaging audiences and supporting artists and business through her creative agency, Chi. The EKOC x Chromatic Cafe collaboration is near and dear to her heart as she manages the marketing campaign with a great team of artists.

www.chicreativeagency.com